Carolina Cranesbill Geranium carolinianum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jer-AY-nee-um kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-um
- Description
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Carolina Geranium is a native herb found in eastern North America and all areas of NC in the cranesbill family. It is a multi-branched and sprawling pubescent annual, usually growing no taller than 1 ft. The white to pink flowers occur in tight clusters from spring into summer and the seed capsule has the usual beak giving it the common name of cranesbill. The genus name Geranium is derived from geranos, the Greek word for “crane.”
Carolina cranesbill prefers full sun to part shade in poorer soil that is gravelly, sandy, or contains hardpan clay. This reduces competition from other plants. This plant is sold commercially for home use but can become weedy due to reseeding. Use in naturalized areas for the best results. Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers and birds will eat the seeds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Geranium
- Species:
- carolinianum
- Family:
- Geraniaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators and birds eat the seeds
- Edibility:
- Leaves are edible but bitter
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Native Plant
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Upright capsule with persistent sepals at the base and a slender beak in the center. The capsule splits to throw seeds away from the plant
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Five-petaled, pale pink or white flowers occur singly or in tight terminal clusters with very short petioles. March-July. The petals are notched, have darker venation and the 5 sepals can be as long as the petals. Flowers are about 1/3 inch across.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are palmately five-parted, these divisions being cleft or lobed again. The leaves are up to 3 inches wide and long. They can be alternate or opposite on the stem. Shape can be nearly round to kidney-shaped. Leaves can turn reddish with age, especially at the margins and are covered in fine hairs
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Round green stems mature to reddish brown with white hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
